BREAKING FROM TRADITION ⛓️‍💥

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes.

Firstly, apologies for the very overdue newsletter!

For some of you, you’ll be reading this in early January as you've probably switched off from emails for the festive season. The email I meant to send this time around will now go out on Monday 30th December, as I wanted to make sure this one went out first, especially after being inspired by a couple of recent encounters

DEFYING TRADITION THROUGH THE ANTI GALLERY

I have been reflecting on tradition since these convos, and how breaking from what is expected or normal can be so nice. In 2015, I decided to start The Anti Gallery, a pop-up arts organisation focused on engaging art outside of traditional gallery environments. The aim was to offer an alternative to the usual gallery model, because not everyone feels connected to those spaces, but many people still appreciate art and the stories it tells. For artists, it provided an opportunity to exhibit when they’d faced rejection from galleries or institutions.

Of course, The Anti Gallery wasn’t without its criticism, but once people saw the impact it had – huge turnouts at events, new audiences discovering and even buying art – minds and hearts began to change. Soon, I was being invited to panels and giving keynotes around the country. Perspectives on working outside traditional gallery spaces became even more important during Covid when lockdowns stopped people from visiting galleries, and organisations had to find new ways to engage with both existing audiences and those who were never able to attend previously, being restricted mobility-wise. The Anti Gallery was a success for its six-year run, and although I don’t run it currently due to resource constraints, I continue to see the fruits of that vision in my career. I don’t think I’d be where I am today as a curator had I stuck to the conventional route.

I’ve kept pushing for non-traditional paths throughout my work, and when I have slipped into traditional models and snapped out of them. It’s helped carve out my place in the arts that’s unique amongst my peers. It wasn’t about being edgy or different for the sake of it – it came from a deeper instinct to challenge what I was seeing in the art world and the institutions that were shaping it.

GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN

Don’t be afraid to go against the grain. Don’t be afraid to take a non-traditional path, especially if it feels right for YOU and what YOU want to achieve. In a world where everyone is trying to grab attention, it’s the bold moves that the masses aren’t making that will get you noticed.

I’ve seen this play out with a project I worked on earlier this year. I commissioned a series of works for an exhibition, and the artist had initially thought about selling the work following the exhibition, which is the traditional route – and completely understandable! However, as a new artist, I saw more potential in this work and suggested it is the start of an archive of the paintings, as their work was centred around documenting history, and was something unique and meaningful that no other artist within their vicinity was doing, and especially in relation to their painting style. I know for sure this option will open more doors for future museum shows, being taken more seriously as the contemporary painter they aspire to be, and more visibility and awareness, and bringing the important stories the artist is telling to a wider audience. It’s amazing to see that they’ve taken this on board, and I truly believe it’s going to help them stand out and build something special in their practice.

WHAT NON-TRADITIONAL IDEAS HAVE BEEN BUBBLING? 💭

As we move into the New Year (or for those reading this in January, as you’re already navigating it), think about the one idea you’ve been too scared to execute. What’s that idea that goes against the norm, that feels a little uncomfortable but exciting? Why not make it part of your 2024 plans? Have a think, and write it down. If you need some inspo, here’s a few wise words from David Bowie that I like to return to every now and again:

If you have an idea in mind, and would like to chat more about it or get some guidance on how to make it happen, feel free to book a 1-2-1 session with me. Sessions last an hour and are donation-based, with a suggested modest donation of £25 to help cover my time and expertise.

🍋 WIN A COPY OF POOR ARTISTS BY THE WHITE PUBE 🍋

To say thanks for being being amongst the first wave of subscribers (and for making it all the way to this part of the newsletter!) I’m running a little giveaway!

I have two brand new copies of Poor Artists by The White Pube, an art criticism duo and amongst the boldest voices in the art world today. The White Pube (Gabrielle de la Puente and Zarina Muhammad) are a fantastic example of defying traditional standards which have revolutionised contemporary art criticism.

Poor Artists “follows aspiring artist Quest Talukdar through childhood obsessions, art school lessons and her professional debut. In surreal encounters with other artists, Quest learns profound truths about money and power, and must decide whether she cares more about success or staying true to herself. Blending imaginative storytelling with dialogue from anonymised interviews with real people in the art world who have all had to wrestle with the same decisions – including a Turner Prize winner or two, a few ghosts, a Venice Biennale fraudster and a communist messiah – Poor Artists is a powerful testimony to the emotional, existential and financial experience of artists today”.

FANCY A COPY? Click here to enter the prize draw before Friday 10th January. The two winners will be notified by 13th January, and I’ll send the books out by the following week.

SUPPORT ARTICULATE FOR THE PRICE OF A COFFEE 💷

Thank you to the two wonderful souls who bought me the equivalent of 8 coffees this month to support my time working on these newsletters. Your generosity is massively appreciated 🙏🏾

If you’d like to make an optional donation (the price of as many coffees as you like), you can do so here. Any support you provide will go directly toward the time I dedicate to ARTiculate and help fund additional resources to support you.

Thank you for your continued support!

LISTINGS & OPPORTUNITIES 📋

I’ve been busy seeking and compiling some great opportunities for you all, including funding, residencies, and fellowships. To keep everything organised and to avoid repeating opportunities in a short space of time, I’ll be sharing them in the 30th December newsletter. Keep an eye out!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER ⏩

Alongside a link to opportunity listings and my top exhibitions of 2024, I’ll be discussing what it means to ‘show up’ and why a ‘showing up’ mentality is essential for your practice in 2025.

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